Larry Steele

Larry Steele (1913 – 1980) was an American songwriter, composer, and impresario, notable for his all-black variety revue shows. Steele was dubbed the "Black Flo Ziegfeld" for his dazzling productions. He toured with his troupe called Smart Affairs between from 1947 to 1970. Performers featured in Smart Affairs included Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Sara Vaughan, and Lou Rawls. As a songwriter, Steele wrote over 200 songs over the course of his career.

Life and career

Early life Born in 1913, Steele was raised in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a barber and didn't not want him to go into show business. Steele's father and his five sisters wanted Steele to become a lawyer, so he intended to study law at Northwestern University. His plans changed in 1934 when he was offered a job for $3 a night as a singing master of ceremonies and bandleader at Panama Café in the South Side.

Smart Affairs Steele left Chicago in the mid-1940s and helped organize entertainers on the Chitlin Circuit. By, 1946 he was based in Atlantic City, New Jersey at Club Harlem where he opened his first Smart Affairs production in 1947. At a time when black women were not showcased for their beauty and talents, Steele's Smart Affairs gave black chorus girls, referred to as the "Beige Beauts," a platform to perform and featured premiere black musical acts. Starting at small clubs and hotels, Smart Affairs toured throughout the country to rave reviews.

In 1955 and 1956, the show was billed as Harlem Blackbirds when they performed at the Palladium Stage Theater in Australia. They were the first all-black show to tour Australia and New Zealand.

In 1962, the troupe began touring concert auditoriums to accommodate the audiences of comedians Dick Gregory and Damita Jo who headlined the revue that year.

In 1968, Smart Affairs performed at Atlantic City's Steel Pier and the Tropicoro Room of the El San Juan in Puerto Rico. Featured performers included the Constellations, the Nicholas Brothers, and Anselmo Sacasas and his orchestra.

Later life and death 1969, Steele formed his own publishing firm, Larste, headquartered in Chicago. After she died, Steele struggled financially and moved into a low-income housing project. Although a member of A.S.C.A.P. (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) since 1964,

Honors For "projecting the true picture of Negro in travels abroad," Steele received the Racial Dignity and Human Relations Award from Howard University's Alumni Association in 1961.

In 1975, Steele was honored with a tribute show at Atlantic City's Holiday Inn for his achievements in Black entertainment.